Trump wants to replace food stamps with a Blue Apron-like service, and Twitter is not having it
Since his inauguration, President Donald Trump has proposed cutting or adding restrictions to benefits like Medicaid. And now, the Trump administration has suggested eliminating a portion of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — aka food stamps — in favor of a program that would deliver nonperishable food to families.
Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney praised the idea as a “Blue Apron-type program” during a February 12th press briefing. The program, which the U.S. Department of Agriculture has named “America’s Harvest Box,” was included in Trump’s budget plan. The changes would affect households that qualify for $90 or more in SNAP assistance, which is about 81 percent of people who use the program. Currently, SNAP recipients can choose what to buy at a participating grocery store, but the contents of an America’s Harvest Box would be limited to foods like peanut butter, cereal, canned goods, or dried beans.
The food delivery box wouldn’t entirely replace SNAP benefits, though. Instead, the America’s Harvest Box would only be worth about half of a family’s total benefits for the month, and they would receive the rest on a debit card, like before.
The United Stated Department of Agriculture said in a statement that the proposal would save the government $130 billion over the course of 10 years. But the USDA did not specify how exactly the program would work, only that states would be largely responsible for funding and that “existing infrastructure” would be used to supply the boxes.
Grocery stores and anti-hunger advocacy groups were unenthusiastic about the proposal. Currently, consumers spend billions of dollars in SNAP benefits at stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Albertson’s, so these chains would lose money if Trump’s plan is implemented. And the nonprofit Food Research and Advocacy Center said the proposal would be “costly, inefficient, stigmatizing and prone to failure.”
Twitter users were also wary of the newly proposed replacement for food stamps.
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ok poor, here's your Blue Apron-style poor food kit, just like the Blue Apron you know and love
let's see what exciting Blue Apron-style food adventures await you
we have… peanut butter
some locally sourced fish powder
gravy tub
more peanut butter
egg huskings
beet leavings— Simon Maloy (@SimonMaloy) February 13, 2018
The only entities that benefit from Blue Apron-style program are companies that acquire the government contracts.
There is no nutritional value in boxed foods and canned goods. This is a recipe for disaster. You’re compromising peoples diets while taking away their healthcare.
— Charli Huxley (@ImKnotTheOne) February 13, 2018
If my tax dollars are feeding someone,they should have the dignity to choose their own food. Having rations sent to you in a blue apron style box is humiliating.
— Tasty Cakes (@TiffiePop85) February 13, 2018
Hearing that the Trump Admin is selling this as the “Blue Apron-ing” of SNAP.
Um, no. https://t.co/FzgVRv8yw4
— Chad Bolt (@chadderr) February 12, 2018
Some worried that the USDA America’s Harvest Boxes wouldn’t account for allergies or dietary restrictions.
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calling it now: that 'blue apron-style' program will have no accommodations for people with food allergies or specific dietary needs. they're destroying the safety net and they are ready to let people starve.
— elise, the house-haver (@softbaphomet) February 13, 2018
Do you really think this slashed SNAP program will really let you check off what you can and can't eat? I'm not even talking religious preferences like keeping kosher, or ethical preferences like being vegetarian.
I'm talking basic anaphylactic allergies.
— Aleksei Ilídio Valentín 🇺🇦✡️♿🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@ai_valentin) February 13, 2018
And users also pointed out how expensive the system would be.
"Blue Apron-style" They'll need warehouses and distribution centers for the food, and people to work in them. Also trucks, vans, and drivers to deliver. How much is all that going to cost? Why make it so complicated and expensive when that money could buy more food?
— RedStateLiberal (@Writers__Resist) February 13, 2018
A major problem with a Blue Apron-style SNAP is that you immediately impact businesses.
Someone will get a fat government contract to fulfill orders and local stores and markets lose revenue from direct sales. pic.twitter.com/AVlyzQHtzx
— Ted Corcoran (RedTRaccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) February 13, 2018
The Trump administration’s “Blue Apron-type” proposal prevents the poor from having full control over their diets. The program also denies beneficiaries access to fresh, healthy foods, so it’s inaccurate to compare it to Blue Apron. We hope that the government will reconsider trying to pack nutritional assistance into boxes.
